2008 Draft Sleepers

[Pogue Mahone]

Outside of the more ballyhooed names that are tossed around, I have identified the following players who I feel have a chance to be a sleeper*.

*Feel free to define sleeper as you see fit.

For me, sleeper implies 'future NBA contributor'. Atleast one definite NBA-ready skill is paramount, imo, for a player chosen later in the draft to stick. Having an above average NBA-ready skill will make them a keeper.

POINT GUARDS

Mario Chalmers, Kansas: He is the second best PG prospect in the draft after Derrick Rose. Don't believe the hype with DJ Augustin. Chalmers brings it at both ends, can stretch the floor with his shooting and is an adept playmaker. I don't think he will be the scorer that Jason Terry was but I do think he is a better playmaker and overall a more 'natural' point.

Stefhon Hannah, Missouri: He can playmake, ballhawk and create his own offense. He will likely go undrafted and a cash-strapped team flirting with the luxury tax could secure a developmental late bloomer for free. He is an adapt three point shooter that doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. I consider him to have better PG skills than Boobie Gibson and, assuming he was in the right situation, I think Hannah could have better overall impact than Gibson because of his defense. Yes, his off-court incident in January is concerning so due dilligence is required. Major sleeper.

Paul Stoll, Texas Pan-American: He is an undersized PG (5'10") who played against poor competition. But, hey, if DJ Augustin can be ranked in the lottery than Paul **** Stoll can be one of my Sleeper Picks! I think, if the stars align right, he might -- might -- be able to be a Chucky Atkins. While not a world beater, that has value. Stoll was his team's best scorer and was incredibly efficient (.486 FG% .851 FT% .475 3P% 1.98 PPS 2.06 A/T.) Poor competition or not, he deserves at least a summer league invite, imo.


COMBO GUARDS

George Hill, IUPUI Hidden behind the slender physique is an offensive monster of beastly proportions. Perhaps the euphoria of the championship has blinded my judgment but I think Hill is Leandro Barbosa-redux. That 6'9 wingspan is pretty sexy, as well. We'll see.

Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State: Jamont Gordon was a top-30 talent last year, imo. Most mocks have in the mid-40s this year. They will all pay! Gordon is adept at creating space (he's lefty), a nice mid-range game, can take it to the hole and can finish on contact. A bit too in love with the outside shot, at times, but when you see as much attention on the offensive as him, it happens. He is an upgrade on Delonte West and Boobie Gibson, right now, and would be the perfect compliment to LeBron James, imo. Lets hope he stays out of Cleveland.


SCORING GUARDS

Mark Tyndale, Temple: To get to the heart of why players like Tyndale are discounted, one has to understand the obfuscation that occurs because of team's tempo. His numbers are very strong when taking pace into account. Physically, he is very strong which allows him to absorb contact and finish at the rim. He can hit the outside shot, the mid-range shot and his free throws (though, admittedly, he still needs to improve.) He is a G-R-E-A-T defender. He is only 6'4" but he has a 6'11" wingspan. With NBA conditioning, he may be able to improve upon his 33.5" one-step. I really like him as a prospect.

DeMarcus Nelson, Duke: He is 1st RD talent that is almost certainly going to slide. He is incredibly quick, a very good defender, a pterodactyl-wingspan with great ups. And he knows how to apply those skills. I think he has the strength to keep most guards off the box and the length to alter their shots if they do. Seriously undervalued for having a short neck. His arms and athleticism more than make up for any supposed "shortcomings."

Richard Roby, Colorado: He has good size, good length and underrated athleticism. He has very nice form on his shot and a quick release. I think he would be ideal playing next to a player who can create for him and all him to play off the ball while he continues to work on his game.


QUICK FORWARDS

Nicolas Batum, LeMans (France): Batum is a top-5 pick in this draft. Heart ailment or not (it appears to be the same thing that Monty Williams had, FWIW), dropping all the way to the 20's will be a steal for any team that is able to secure his services. I have been a big Batum fan since I watched his Albert Schweitzer Tournament performance in 2006.

Malik Hairston, Oregon: He has good length and pretty good athleticism. If he can prove to be able to play SG at the next level, he is definitely a good to very good prospect. He can shoot the ball with range, has a bit of a mid-range game and is just a heady and smart all around player. One of my favorite prospects of the draft though I attempt to temper that.

Sonny Weems, Arkansas: Elite athlete with a shooting stroke and some passing ability. Late bloomer. I like him as a prospie.


COMBO FORWARDS

Pat Calathes, St. Joseph’s: He rebounds and passes better than most SFs and could legitimately play some PF in some instances. Needs to get stronger but he has 1st RD talent. Incredibly undervalued if the mocks are to believed. Expect Vlad Rad/Mike Dunleavy, Jr type career path.

James Mays, Clemson: Uses above average athleticism, great wingspan and tenacity to be a major disruptor on the defensive end. Offense is a work in progress but is one of the best offensive rebounders in the country and can easily get out on the break and finish at the rim. Does have some ability to pass a bit, as well.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA: Rebounds the ball like a power forward, passes like a shooting guard and handles the ball well reasonably well. Great athleticism and length. Needs to improve on his offensive ability by expanding the range on his jumper and becoming more consistent. In a lot ways, he reminds me a Josh Childress.


POWER FORWARDS

Marreese Speights, Florida: Incredible jumpshot. Good-to-Very Good athleticism. Underrated passer. Post skills. Tenacity on the glass. Another prospie almost ruined by Eddie Munster down at Florida. Sure, there might some issues but if this guy isn't chosen top-3, there is a major problem with this draft, imo. I think when all is said and done, either Speights or Batum will be the best players from this draft class.

Richard Hendrix, Alabama: First and foremost, when I see him, I think Karl Malone. I will play that down a bit (though not too far) and say Carlos Boozer. Seriously. He is a beast on the glass. He can finish inside. He does have a face-up game but it's still a work in progress. He has incredible length and is being discounted severely for having a short neck. From purely a length standpoint, he is center sized. He is a heady player with great hands and instincts. Some question his ability to cover on the perimeter. Fair enough. Keep in mind he had the fourth quickest lane agility drill of anyone at the combine (guards included.) He will be asset blitzing the pick and, with his intelligence, he will make correct decisions on rotations. If I wasn't so in love with Batum and Speights, Hendrix has a chance, albeit small, to be the best player in the draft. He may be a bit earth-bound but he has the length and quickness to compensate.

Serge Ibaka, L’Hospitalet (Congo): PF prospects as young as Ibaka, with his athleticism, size, defensive ability and upside rarely escape the lottery. Yet, in this draft, Ibaka may slide out of the first round. Good gracious.


CENTERS

Aleks Maric, Nebraska: He can score on the block, rebound at both ends and pass a bit. He is a legitmate 6'11 with decent wingspan, good standing reach and fair strength. Surprising quick for his size. Faster than he looks running the floor. Former soccer goalie with descent footwork. In a league needing low post offense, Maric could be a valued bench scorer and rotational big.

Shawn James, Duquesne: Yes, he is older. Yes, he has a checkered past. Yes, he is only 6'9. All the being said, he is a gifted shotblocker with a penchant for scoring and a bit of rebounding. I think he is Theo Ratliff (non-corpse version.) Any team can use a shotblocker with a 7'5' wingspan and 9'3" standing reach even if the player tops out as a Solomon Jones-type.

[threrf23]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[The Rondo Show]

Chalmers and Speights would make my sleeper list as well, although apparently I'm not quite as high on either as you are (don't think Speights is top 3, but I think he's a clear cut lotto pick and I don't think Chalmers is better than Augustin, but I think they are very close while the majority seem to disagree).

I'd be STUNNED if Speights were available at 28 like Draft Express is predicting and if he was falling into the 20's (don't think he makes it past the 1st 15 picks or so), I'd love to see Ainge make a move up from 30 to secure him.

Regarding Ibaka, this is from rotoworld earlier today:

ESPN's Andy Katz reports that forward Serge Ibaka, out of the Congo, is not likely to be drafted on Thursday.

His agent said on Wednesday night that he plans on staying in Spain until after the 2010-11 season, and that NBA teams should not bother drafting him. There was a decent chance he would have been a late first-round pick, but not now.

[ARB729]

I know that a lot has been made of him lately, but I really like Joe Alexander. He won't be a star, but I think he can be a lot like a Tayshaun in the NBA.

[darrendaye]

I've been in favor of Jamont Gordon for some time. I have some concerns about his ability to play off the ball, but I like his makeup. A few of the names Pogue brings up have intrigued me too, like Weems, Mays, Tynsdale, and James. A few I like but doubt they'll be around as they're projected 1st rounders. And I agree that Roby, should me freefall to the bottom of round 2, would be a solid pick. as he may be a guy who plays better in the pros as a niche guy rather than a go-to guy in college.